GE spacemaker microwave repair

by Larry
(Hubbard, Ohio)

My 9 year old 1,000 watt JVM 1600 series GE spacemaker microwave stopped heating recently. Everything else worked fine, but no heat. Went online to research the problem and found this website. Followed the advice/instructions posted. Called the GE parts number listed and received the magnetron tube (zero cost)in three days w/ nothing but advice to have a trained appliance tech install it. Removal of the microwave took about 20 min. Covers off etc, about 30 min. Tube installation about 3 min. Ordered the diode from the retail side of GE and the part never arrived. I called them back after waiting 2 weeks and it was overnighted and on my doorstep the following day. Installed in less than 1 min. Total time involve (minus the two week wait for the diode) less than one hour. Saved a lot of money with this sites excellant pictures,description and instructions. The diode is easily removed/reinstalled w/ a pair of needlenose pliers. My only caution is that you should be fairly handy w/ general repairs or have some backround in working on anything mechanical to do this repair yourself. Good luck and THANKS!!!!!

Comments for GE spacemaker microwave repair

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Success Story!!!
by: Shawn/admin

Hi Larry,


Thank you for making this post!! It is always great to hear the success stories and repair experiences of my visitors. I am glad you got it going and I look forward to helping you with any future appliance repair adventures. That is if you have any, hopefully nothing else will break down.
GE Spacemaker Struggling
by: Armando

Shawn,
I have a six year old GE Spacemaker Model HMO3000HSS03 Over-the-range microwave. Last year I replaced the magnetron tube. As of three days ago the microwave has begun to make an abnormal humming noise upon starting a cook cycle and sounds as if it is dropping power. I was initially under the impression that this may be caused by the H.V diode, however the more I read the more it sounds like the microwave would not heat food if the diode was open or shorting. The microwave is still heating food, however something is going terribly wrong and it sounds as if it is only a matter of time before the microwave stops functioning. Please let me know what I should test or do to take care of this problem. Thanks for your time, Armando.
Microwave Noisy
by: Shawn/admin

If it is heating fine it is unlikely the magnetron tube, diode or capacitor are bad. (all of which can cause the type of noise you are referring to. However sometimes the magnetron tube will become noisy and still heat. In this case it will be a distinctive high-voltage arcing noise.

Start by tuning off the turntable and see if the noise goes away. If your controls don’t give you the option to turn the turntable off you will have to access the turntable motor and unplug it. You can access it by removing the bottom panel by removing the screws.

If you rule out the turntable disconnect the stirrer motor. It is located at the top and can typically be accessed by removing a cover at the center top.

The only other thing is the fan motor which rarely becomes noisy.
No Luck
by: Armando

Shawn,
I tried the turntable, stirrer, and checked the fan. None of the three appear to be making what I guess I can best describe as a broken deep humming noise. The noise is the first I hear upon starting a cycle and then is followed by a higher pitched continuous humming noise (I believe this is the magnetron tube). I took off the panels and tested it and it appears as if the noise is coming from the top right hand side of the microwave, possibly in the area of the magnetron, diode, and capacitor. If you have anymore feasible things for me to check please let me know. If not thank you for your help and I guess I will just wait for the microwave to stop functioning if that is the direction it is headed. Thanks Again, Armando.
Re
by: Shawn/admin

I think you are right it must be coming from the magnetron. Yours seems to be making a different kind of noisy I am use to hearing but it seems it is the culprit.
Microwave Powered off after 4 minutes
by: Armando

Shawn,
So my microwave is officially dying. Today (1-3-12) my wife was cooking vegetables and was four and a half minutes into the cycle when she says she heard a pop and the microwave shut off (no power). I was at work so I had her check the breaker. She stated that the breaker was still in the on position, however she flipped it back and forth. She also unplugged the microwave and plugged it back in still nothing, no power to the unit. When I came home approximately a half hour after the microwave stopped working I observed that there was still no power. I opened the microwave door and the unit powered on a few seconds after opening the door. I tried cooking food and it cooked, however still had the sound as if it is dropping power with the unusual humming discussed in our previous conversations. If you have any ideas based on these latest events please let me know, I would hate to have to scrap a six year old microwave. Thanks again for any suggestions and your time, Armando.
RE
by: Shawn/admin

They had some issues with the magnetron interfering with the electronic board causing it to shut down. However I don’t know if this is your problem or not because typically when this happens it will shut down right away.

I really think it is more likely it is the control board although I can’t tell you a safe and easy way to know for sure.

One more thing however is that you say you opened the door and it went back to work. This could mean it has something to do with the door switches. Wiggle the door and see if it will work and if you can get it to work wiggle the door and see if it goes off again. If so one of your door interlock switches is bad. My bet would be on the lower switch.

This page has pictures that will help with the door switch. Microwave Repair Guide
Growling Microwave
by: Russ

Shawn...i have a 12 year old GE Spacemaker model EMO3000cww03,....it recently started to "growl" after running for a while...i went to another site on the net and was told ""95%" of the time it is the turntable drive motor...i was sceptacle of this because the actual noise is not coming from the area of the turntable center...but since i like the odds that that was it i spent 40 bucks and got the motor Tuesday...so today, wednesday, i took off the bottom panel and very easily replaced the part (except for the fact that they must use 8000 lbs of torque to screw in those two little retainer screws!!!) anyway, while the panel was still down i tried the oven....within a few seconds the noise recurred as before, but this time i was able to look underneath and see some electric flashing coming from the upper right hand area.....so now i know it wasn't the motor and i suspect something a lot more serious . can you give me the bad news? thanks
RE
by: Shawn/admin

I think you have a bad magnetron tube. Often when a magnetron tube is bad it will arc out the end causing a noise like you are describing. In the oven there are holes, which is where the magnetron tube sits. If this is where the arcing is coming from you can be pretty sure the magnetron is bad. If this isn’t where the arcing is coming from you will just have to figure out where it is. It could be the transformer or the capacitor.

I got a page on replacing the magnetron tube if you want to take a shot at replacing it.


GE Spacemaker Microwave Magnetron Tube Replacement
Help!
by: Anonymous

Hello,
Our JVM series space maker GE microwave has stopped working, it has no power what so ever. We checked the circuit breaker but it was fine. Couldn't find the fuse box or compartment? Can you please help? Thank you,
Stacey
RE
by: Shawn/admin

Have you checked the fuse inside the microwave? This page may help.

Microwave repair
Microwave died only 3 years old
by: Diane

Larry,
Had a fuse blow in my kitchen because a door slamed too hard in my kitchen- when I went and triped the fuse in the basement everything came on in the room except my microwave. I checked that the plug in (outlet) was not the problem. It is the microwave- before I go out and by a new one is there anythng I could look at and replace. It is a GE jvm1600 seies and only a couple years old. Thanks in advance for amy help you can give
fuse
by: Shawn/admin

There is a good chance the internal fuse is blown. If you take the top front griddle off and remove the control panel you should see the fuse. Be sure to disconnect the power before doing so.
Microwave Oven Activates Too Soon.
by: Lea

I have a 10 year old GE Spacemaker, Model JVM 1653BD004 microwave oven. Recently when I open the door it immediately sends out heat and sounds like it is on. You can feel the heat. The turntable does not turn until I set the time for maybe 3 minutes and hit the Start button...then the turntable starts. It seems like when I open the door something activates the Start Button. Wondering if this is dangerous since my hands are in the oven placing or removing food items. Anyone have any ideas?
RE
by: shawn

Yes it can be dangerous don’t use this microwave until this is resolved.

Typically a failed door switch will cause the fan to turn on when you open the door. However this will only be the fan (no heating effect). If it is actually heating when you open the door. I am not sure what to tell you because I have never seen this and this type of problem will be very hard to diagnose without being at the microwave.
Screeching noise first use in morning
by: JayW

Hi Shawn,
I have an 11 year old over the range GE Spacemaker Model #EMO3000 HCC01 that has started making a high-pitched screeching noise for the first few seconds of use (heating coffee) in the morning. The turntable works fine and the oven heats normally. The sound goes away after the first couple uses and stays away until the next morning first use. Could you possibly point me in the direction of which part needs replacing?
GE Spacemaker humming/buzzing noise
by: Tom

Hello,
I have a GE Spacemaker microwave model JVM1660WH. It makes buzzing/humming noise, and the display light (time, minutes, etc)
goes dim/weak when the noise starts. When I turn it off the light goes back to normal.
All fatures like timer, time, vent work, but I don't know if it still cooks/heats because I'm affraid to use it since the noise started.
Also...
The last part of the model number on the sticker is not legible but it is for sure JVM1660WH. Does it matter for parts ordering, if it is sub-model 01, 02, 03, 04?
Please advise.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
High Side
by: shawn

This is most likely a problem with the high voltage side (magnetron tube, transformer, diode or the capacitor). There is a possibility it could be in the plug you can try using a different plug (in another room) and see if it does the same thing.

(Microwave repair can be dangerous so unless you have good electoral skills you may want to think twice about working on the high voltage side and please disconnect the power before you do anything)
GE Spacemaker JVM1660WH
by: Tom

Hello, previously I asked the following question:
"I have GE Spacemaker JVM1660WH. I need to replace the Magnetron. It appears there are several sub-models of JVM1660WH - 01, 02, 03 ,04. The sticker on my unit is not legible anymore and I can not tell if it is 01, 02, 03 or 04. It is definitely JVM1660WH. Can the Magnetron be different for different sub-models? What is correct part # Magnetron for my model?
Is it really necessary to replace the whole kit, or just the Magnetron will do? Price of Magnetron is half of the entire kit."
I received partial answer providing the part #.
Can you please answer the 2nd part of my question?
Do I need to replace entire kit or can I just replace magnetron alone for half the price of the kit?
Also in addition, can you please answer...?
Based on symptoms - loud buzzing noise + dimming internal/display light, does it sound like a bad megnetron?
The light goes back to normal and buzzing stops when press STOP/CANCEL. All other features work (surface light, vent, timer, etc).
Don't know if oven cooks/heats because affraid to let it run longer due to the noise.
Thank you.
Tom
Magnetron tube
by: shawn

The series numbers you refer to typically only make a difference on parts like controls and keypads.


For the 1600 series I would replace the entire kit (if the magnetron tube needs replaceing) because they had trouble with the stirrer causing your problem. The kit comes with the stirrer, diode and magnetron. The diode needs to be replaced anytime you replace the magnetron so all you are getting extra is the stirrer so I would go ahead and replace it just in case.

All I can say about you symptoms is that it is most likely in the high voltage side and the magnetron is a good possibility however I do see capacitors and diodes cause this same problem sometimes. It is unlikely it is the transformer but it could be. If you find the diode is bad replace the magnetron tube kit part # Wb27x10489 (for 1600 series models only). I can also say that that model had problems with the magnetron tubes so this makes it even more likely that it is causing your issue.


This page will help
Microwave repair
GE Spacemaker JVM 1650BB 002 loud noise no heat
by: Jeff

Hi - I have a GE Spacemaker microwave (JVM 1650BB 002) in my rental apartment. Recently, it has intermittently started making loud rumbling noises and the turntable doesn't move - and one time it actually emitted a burnt smell. Each time I waited a few minutes and tried it again and it worked. The landlord does not live in the area so I can't have her look at it easily, so I'm looking for a way to diagnose the problem and fix it. Does this sound like something for which I should call a repairman or might it be something I could fix myself? Many thanks!
Turntable
by: shawn

Two things you can check one is the plastic coupling that connects the turntable to the turntable motor and if it is not that it will be the motor itself. Check out this page

http://www.appliance-repair-it.com/microwave-turntable.html
Won't start unless unplugged and plugged back in
by: Jim

i have a 9 year old space saver above range microwave model jvm2070sk02. Periodically it will not start unless it is unplugged and then plugged in again. Also there are times when the turntable will surge when the microwave is not on. Any ideas what is going wrong?
Won't Heat
by: Gary

My GE Microwave Model # JVM1660H01 suddenly will not heat anything up. It's about years old. Is it worth trying to fix, if it can be fixed?
Thank you!
Gary

by: shawn

Hi Gary,

It can be fixed. The magnetron tube is the most common issue on your model. These two pages will help.



Microwave repair

GE Spacemaker Microwave Magnetron Tube Replacement
JVM230WV001 above the range
by: Tony

Shawn,
My "space saver" unit was produced in 1996. Does not have a turntable. Is making the humming/buzzing noise, not heating food. So I expect it is the magnetron. Are your instructions shown here the same or appropriate for the 1996 unit?

by: shawn

Tony,

They should be close. On the older models you may find a few more screws then on the one I demoed.
Broken Spacemaker: Plugged or Unpluged and Replacement issues
by: Sandy

Spacemaker Xl 1800

1)No longer working. GE repair suggests I get another. But the microwave was left plugged in as I was using the vent fan only. And then I had a issue with for no apparent reason, while cooking, sometimes I get this loud buzzing noise. I have to unplug, plug in again and then hit the vent fan button 4 times and then the noise goes away. But the other day after cooking the loud buzzing noise started again. So I unplugged it. Until I get the new microwave, should I leave it unplugged.( which means I can't use the internal vent feature)

2)The other issue: in researching replacement microwaves, they keep asking if there is a vent that goes out of the building. I have no clue what they mean. All I know is that I don't have a window and the current microwave had a vent blower and two filter screen grids over the oven. So do you know what type of microwave I should ask for.

Thank you for this site. I read through it and find it helpful.
Sandy
by: shawn

Leave it unplugged until you replace the microwave.

Some microwaves are vented some are used vent-less. The vent is used to exhaust the cook-top only. Most are vented out he top of the microwave and you can tell by looking above the microwave to see if there is a vent going into the attic. (It may be covered by a wooden panel). If there is not a vent it is most likely not vented but if the microwave to mounted to an outside wall (wall adjacent to outside of your house) it could be vented out the back.

If it is not vented you will need an extra filter installed to vent the cook-top back into the kitchen. They sell these kits separate.
Mind of it's own
by: Java_Junkie

We have the GE Spacemaker and it has been working for the past 8 years of so.
it now has begun making a humming noise after it has been turned off.
Open the door the sound stops
Close the door and it begins again.
leave the door open for several minutes and you can hear a click, and then it's okay to close the door.
It seems like the unit is on when it does the humming since water continues to boil and leftover items come out smoking.

Have you ever heard of this?
Java-junkie Call Repairman
by: shawn

I was thinking it was the door switch making the fan run. But when you say it is running when it is off I suggest unplugging it keeping it unplugged and have a repairman look at it or replace it.

This could be potentially dangerous so I wouldn't suggest repairing yourself.
Java_Junkie
by: Sandy

That is what my microwave would do before it went bad. See the comment I made above about what happened to mine.

When we moved to our unit, there was a rack inside the microwave and the repair person said it shouldn't have been used with that rack in. The racks should be taken out. He thinks that is what messed up the unit. Many people don't realize that.

GE recommends we get another, which is why I asked the questions about mine here on this forum.

As long as I heard that buzzing sound, I felt that it was unsafe to use the microwave without getting a professional to look at it.

I'm anxious to read the comment you get from this site's owner. But, just wanted to share my experience.

Also, Shawn if you're reading this: thanks so much for answering my concerns. I appreciate it.
Use rack only as needed
by: shawn

It is ok to use the rack but only when you need it. In other words the rack should only be used if you are heating two plates (one on rack and one on turntable). If you leave the rack in all the time it can cause problems.

The most common issue you will have if you leave the rack in all the time is that the little plastic holders (that hold the rack in) will eventually heat up and burn off.

Once the plastic holders burn the microwave will start to arc inside the microwave (some people say it is shooting fire) during use. This can lead to other problems.

At first the arcing may be unnoticeable unless you are looking directly at the microwave. So someone could use the microwave for some time with it arcing without the owner knowing. Then when it gets worst you will hear it and see it very easily.
Arcing from the turn table
by: Tiffanie

Hi!
We have a GE space maker Xl model # J VM1339BW 002 manufactured in 1997. Tonight we were heating something up in a microwave safe container. A few seconds after the microwave started we saw it arching and stopped it. We found a burnt area on the turntable and the glass plate that sits on it. What could be the cause of the arcing and should we replace the microwave. We unplugged it for safety. Thank you.
GE SpacemakerXL1800
by: leon

Microwave is 15 years old. Lights were making low buzzing noise. Tried to use microwave and noise continued for approximately 30 seconds. Noise quit but microwave turns on automatically when door is closed and will not turn off unless door is opened. Is this a capacitor problem? Thanks!

Answer,

Most of the time when this happens it is only the fan that is running when the door is closed. If yours is heating and everything automatically when you close the door disregard this answer.

Typically this is caused by one of the door switches being bad. When you close the door normally the fan will run for a split second (you would normally never know this). If one of the door interlock switches goes bad it will run the fan when the door is closed. First make sure all three of the interlock switches are being pressed when the door is closed. If not replace the interlock mechanism. If that is working fine replace the switches.
GE spacemaker XL 1800 microwave
by: Darrell

I have a GE Spacemaker XL1800 microwave and the fan and light continue to run after the cooking time is done and I shut the door after retrieving the cooked Items. I put a cup of water in the microwave and it does not appear to be heating when I shut the door.

Hi Darrell,

Check the door interlock switches. One of them controls the fan but I am not sure about the light it may have to have power from the board to be on therefore you may have a board problem.

Thank you,
Shawn/admin
Microwave - strange noise
by: Kelly

I have a GE Spacemaker JVM model that is 12 years old. When you turn it on after it has not been used for several hours, it makes a noise up near the top of the microwave. However, after that first use ( typically first thing in the AM )when you use it a 2nd and 3rd time, the noise does not happen anymore. During that noise, the turntable does turn and the it does adequately heat the food. Thoughts?

Answer
Hi Kelly,

There is a motor just like the turntable motor called the stirrer motor at the top. The only real way to tell if its what is making the noise is disconnect it to see what it does. However I wouldn’t want to run it long without this motor. So you will just have to disconnect that motor and try it to see if you hear the noise.

On most models you can get at this motor by removing the front griddle then there will be a metal cover that you can remove to access the motor. All models are different but it is mounted on top of the oven in between the oven and the case (in the hole behind the griddle) in the center.

Be sure to unplug the microwave before removing the griddle.

Thank you,
Shawn/admin
No keypad response
by: Lou

I have a spacemakerJVM1490 BD. I just replaced the control board due to a burned capacitor. When I try to start the unit the panel goes through the start up display and says to hit any key. When I do that the clock display comes up but I cannot get any further response from the unit. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

answer,

I am assuming you replaced the smart board (or main board). First check the ribbon connection on the board to make sure it is plugged in correctly. If that is ok, make sure all plugs are connected. Look on the old board and see if there is a plug with a jumper wire, this is model select plug which tells the board what model it has been installed on. Not very many microwaves have this type of plugs but check just in case. Check to see if there are any special instructions with the control. Normally these controls or plug-in-play but you never know these days.

Next we have to come to terms with the fact that you may have another problem or the control you got is faulty. Your keypad isn’t responding and this is caused by the control or the keypad.

Find the mini manual to your microwave. It will be located either stuffed under the control or behind the griddle. In that mini manual it should describe a keypad test you can perform with an ohmmeter. This test is different for each model which is why you need to find the mini manual on your microwave. If the keypad passes the test send your control back. If it does not pass replace the control.

Thank you,
Shawn/admin

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